Exercising regularly can help to control cholesterol levels, control diabetes, lower blood pressure, promote healthy eating habits and manage weight. Exercise can also strengthen the heart and make arteries more flexible. People who exercise regularly can generally expect to have a longer life than those who don’t.
Lower cholesterol - Exercising is linked to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and an increase of HDL (good) cholesterol by as much as 10%.
Decreased risk of stroke and diabetes - Scientific research shows that active people have 20% less chance of stroke.
Improved blood flow - Regular activity enables the heart to improve blood flow, better circulation may help prevent a heart attack.
Improved lung function - When done regularly, moderate, and vigorous intensity exercise strengthens your heart muscle. This improves your heart's ability to pump blood to your lungs and throughout your body. As a result, more blood flows to your muscles, and oxygen levels in your blood rise.
Improved workout efficiency - The more routine exercise becomes, the quicker the body uses oxygen from your blood. People who work out regularly have hearts that perform better under stress and are less winded during exercise.
Other ways physical activity can help control risk factors:
· Reducing risk of overweight and obesity, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet.
· Maintaining a healthy weight over time once you have lost weight.
· Helping your body manage blood sugar and insulin levels, which lowers your risk for type 2 diabetes.
· Reducing levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a sign of inflammation and an increased risk of heart disease.
· Possibly helping you quit smoking, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.
What type of workouts should I be doing?
The most important part of your exercise routine is consistency. Choose activities you enjoy. According to the World Health Organization, you should accumulate a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise per week. This can be something as simple as taking the dog for a 20-minute walk daily, start easy and progress in both time and intensity.
If you have questions about improving your heart health, contact one of our professionals today at personaltraining@heavensacademy.com or join one of our group fitness classes. Choose from circuit training, dance, indoor cycling, interval training, yoga, Pilates, and more.